While cross-property narratives may push the possibilities of comic-book films into new frontiers, the notion can also grind to a halt once character rights come into question. Such is the case with superhero mutants Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, who both play into upcoming sequels “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” and therefore the equally held rights of Fox and Marvel. But the idea of side-by-side depictions hasn't fazed Joss Whedon, who said they're a “huge part of ['The Avengers 2'],” and now it seems one-half of his duo is nearing a lock.

While cross-property narratives may push the possibilities of comic-book films into new frontiers, the notion can also grind to a halt once character rights come into question. Such is the case with superhero mutants Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, who both play into upcoming sequels “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” and therefore the equally held rights of Fox and Marvel. But the idea of side-by-side depictions hasn't fazed Joss Whedon, who said they're a “huge part of ['The Avengers 2'],” and now it seems one-half of his duo is nearing a lock.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a name that—alongside Saoirse Ronan for Scarlet Witch (though she recently denied that chatter)—has been thrown into the mix early and often for Quicksilver AKA Pietro Maximoff. Official word from Marvel has yet to come down either way, but during a recent junket interview for “Kick-Ass 2,” the actor confirmed (via JoBlo) that he's sat down with Marvel and Whedon, and “really flattered and honored that they came to me for that role. I think he's an interesting character and we're just gonna keep going into that.”

Over at MTV, Johnson elaborated more on the emotional terrain of the mysterious son of Magneto, describing Quicksilver as “an abandoned child. Him and his sister [Wanda Maximoff] are abandoned; they live in Eastern Europe. And if that's something that you can make work, then there's always... you gotta have something that you can relate to.” So it's clear that Johnson has already invested a large amount in the role, which shows his commitment to be present, even if the deal is not.

And speaking of unfulfilled casting, Alec Baldwin recently appeared on the Howard Stern show and revealed (via THR) that he was offered "a villain in one of those Marvel Comics movies," but family matters made him turn the role down. "I wasn't available," he said. “They wanted me to work a certain time, and because of my wife's pregnancy, I had to turn down two films this summer that I wanted to do." A quick look back reveals most of Marvel's Phase Two projects as potential candidates, but even though it never happened, the suggestion proposes an interesting return to comic-book films for “The Shadow” star. What the actual part was he's keeping mum for now out of respect for whoever winds up taking it, but let the speculation begin...